ALLEN PARK -- A promising rookie season for cornerback Bill Bentley came to an end on Thursday when the Lions placed him on injured reserve.

The Lions rookie, who started three of the first four games, had re-injured his shoulder in the game against Philadelphia on Oct. 14.

The shoulder injury was an ongoing issue that started when he tweaked it during organized team activities in the spring, then injured it in the preseason game at Oakland and yet again at Philadelphia.

"He was sort of fighting through that injury with his shoulder. He felt like he could still play, but there was a concern on our part and his part about making it worse, about his ability to stay on the field if he did get into a game and how he would perform with a harness on and some of the limitations he has as far as his range of motion,'' Lions general manager Martin Mayhew said.

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"We thought the best thing to do was put him on injured reserve and get him healthy for next year,'' Mayhew added.

Bentley, a third-round pick had won the starting right cornerback role coming out of training camp. It's a loss for the banged-up secondary.

"We've had some other corners who have had that done,'' coach Jim Schwartz said. "The key is give them enough time for a good rehab. They've all bounced back well from it and we expect Bill will be able to do the same thing.''

Cornerbacks Chris Houston, Alphonso Smith and former Lion Aaron Berry had similar surgery.

He should be back to 100 percent in the spring. Houston said his recovery took about four months.

"I was back doing things within two months, but to get full range of motion it's like three to four months,'' Houston said.

Schwartz said there's a good reason cornerbacks seem to get injured often.

"It's common because they're 180 pounds and running backs are 230, and they take on pulling guards who are 300 pounds,'' Schwartz said. "All those different things. It's just what it is.''

Best announcement soon

Jahvid Best was not cleared for contact two and a half weeks ago more than a year after his last concussion.

Since the running back is on the physically unable to perform list the Lions have until Monday to either put him on the active roster or keep him down for this season or possibly his career.

Mayhew would only say, "We'll have an update on that soon, at the appropriate time.''

Calvin wants the ball

Calvin Johnson has been slowed down by a knee injury this season which may explain his lack of touchdown production.

He's been taking practices off here and there to help the healing process.

"That's the main thing, just being ready for Sunday. Got to be out there to help these guys out,'' Johnson said.

"(I'm) having progress on it, just trying to get it as ready as it can be. Ain't nobody 100 percent nowadays,'' he added.

He said he notices the knee when he's on the field because it's different than normal.

Johnson is ranked sixth in the NFL on targets and seventh in receiving yards with 638 on 41 catches. Johnson also is third in catches of 20-plus yards with 13. He only has one touchdown and that was thrown to him by Shaun Hill in the overtime win over Tennessee.

"I feel my job every game is to have some kind of impact on the game,'' Johnson said. "I guess you could have an impact being a decoy, but I want to have an impact with the ball in my hand.

Don Carey brought back

Defensive back Don Carey, who played in 15 games last season with the Lions, was signed to take Bentley's roster spot.

"It feels great, I love the locker room, I love the defense, I'm from Michigan so I get a chance to do the family so everything works out,'' said Carey who will wear No. 32 which was worn by his cousin Aaron Berry.

Carey had injured his hamstring in training camp and was released on Aug. 20. He reached an in jury settlement with the team and then went home to get healthy.

"It took a while,'' Carey said. "It was nagging -- hamstrings they linger for a while. It's been over for a while, I just make sure I stay in shape and keep it strong.''

Carey, a safety, can also play at cornerback. He said he's unsure where he will be lining up although he expects to be involved in pretty much all phases of special teams.

"As long as I'm on the field producing and helping the team win, I don't care where they put me,'' said Carey who got the call Wednesday after working out at home in Fort Lauderdale.

Because he knows the defense, Carey should be up to speed enough to play on Sunday. He's familiar with the Jaguars. He played 15 games for them in the 2010 season, starting 10 of them.

Leshoure a dad

Mikel Leshoure had a personal day on Wednesday for a good reason -- to be at the birth of his son, Mikel Leshoure Jr., who weighed in at a hefty nine pounds and seven ounces.

"Everything's good though, a healthy son, that's all I asked for,'' Leshoure said.

His teammate, Titus Young, became a dad recently and also made his son a junior. Young added "Sr" to the back of his uniform.

Leshoure was asked if he'll do the same. "We'll see, we'll see,'' he said.